Shadow Magic, page 21
Robert looked up from his stew. “When we made camp last night, I scarred half a dozen trees near the camp. The Wolfen consider themselves guardians of the forest. I figured a little vandalism would anger them enough to get the job done.”
“What if it hadn’t?”
“It did. Let it go, kid. What’s done is done.”
Chapter 34
“Where is my brother?” Nord thundered.
His army had just marched into a third village, and they had yet to see a hint of resistance or any sign of Vilos’s army. The only real trouble they’d encountered was the occasional night raid by a small group of nomads.
Twice he’d dispatched riders to deal with them but they’d never managed to catch up with the more skilled riders.
Arkon waited until Nord had calmed a bit before speaking. “My lord, all the information I’ve managed to gather says he’s headed for the capital.”
“Your information has precious few details.” Nord dropped into a chair.
He’d grown sick of living in a tent, so he’d commandeered a house for the duration of his stay in this town, he couldn’t even remember its name.
“My apologies, the wizard working for your brother is quite skilled. The information I’ve given you is the best I can manage with that power opposing me.”
Nord massaged his temples. Trying to figure out his brother was giving him a headache. “Why, Arkon? Why is he running? At the very least he should try and engage us in a running battle to wear us down.”
“Strategy isn’t my area of expertise, my lord. All I’ve been able to think of is perhaps he hopes to arrive far enough ahead of us to set up a trap.”
Nord tapped his chin as he thought over Arkon’s idea. It made sense. Given enough time Vilos could build traps both magical and mundane. The roofs of the city buildings would also provide fine sniping positions. But Vilos should still be doing something to slow them down.
The truth hit Nord like a battle axe. “He doesn’t have to slow us down. We’re doing the job for him.”
“Excuse me, my lord?”
“Tell the commanders starting tomorrow we’re heading straight for the capital.” Nord rose and clapped Arkon on the shoulder. “Good thinking, wizard.”
Chapter 35
Vilos and his army arrived at Sultan’s Oasis near dusk. The city seemed subdued to Vilos. The streets were empty and the few taverns they passed silent.
News of the invasion must have reached the city. As they marched through the near-deserted streets the army began to break up. The soldiers were heading home for the night. At dawn, the battle preparations would begin.
Vilos, Abin, and the palace guard continued on to the White Palace. Repairs had continued at a good clip during his absence. Most of the exterior damage had been fixed. There were no servants camped in the garden, so he figured the inside must have been good enough for them to move back in.
Once they were safely behind the walls Vilos dismissed the guard who returned to their barracks. Vilos and Abin continued on alone to the palace.
“Looks almost as good as new,” Abin said.
“Yes, it looks like they finished just in time for Nord to smash it.”
The two men walked up the steps toward the palace doors. Waiting just outside was Sashen, his majordomo. Vilos had left him in charge of rebuilding the palace. It seemed he had done a good job.
“Welcome home, Majesty.” Sashen bobbed up and down as was his habit.
“Hello, Sashen. The palace looks great, as always a job well done.”
Sashen beamed. “We all worked hard. May I show you all the repairs we’ve made?”
“I’ve been riding for ten days. All I want to see is my bed.” Seeing the crestfallen look on Sashen’s face Vilos added, “I’ll look at the repairs in the morning.”
Sashen smiled. “As you wish, Majesty.”
Bright light streaming through his window woke Vilos. The sun had risen well above the horizon. Cursing to himself Vilos threw on his clothes and headed downstairs. He’d given orders that someone wake him at sunrise. There was a great deal to do and very little time in which to do it.
The smell of fresh-baked sweet rolls drew him to the dining room. Sashen was there with a mug of warm, spiced wine. “Morning, Majesty. Breakfast will be out in a moment.”
“I thought I said to wake me at sunrise.” Vilos took a sip of the wine, letting it slide down the back of his throat. It tasted wonderful and reminded Vilos how much he’d missed being home.
“That you did, but the royal magician said I should let you sleep.”
Vilos frowned at him. “Since when do the wishes of the royal magician outweigh those of the sultan?”
“Only when the royal magician is correct,” Abin said. He appeared at the door in the far end of the dining room. The wizard walked over and took a seat beside Vilos. “You were exhausted last night. We need you at your best, so I suggested Sashen let you sleep.”
Vilos knew when Abin said “suggested” he meant he used his magic to make Sashen do what he wanted.
Since he could do nothing about it now Vilos said, “Thanks, but if you ever countermand one of my orders again, I’ll start looking for a new wizard. Understand?”
Abin winced. “Perfectly. On another subject, Skydancer arrived this morning with a message. Nord has turned straight south. He’s heading directly here, no longer bothering to capture towns along the way.”
“How long until he arrives?”
“If he pushes, three days. If he wants his men in any condition to fight more like five.”
Vilos nodded. “We’ll be ready.”
For the second time Vilos’s army gathered in the city square. In the feeble morning light Vilos looked over the brave men that would defend Sultan’s Oasis. They had spent the last four days preparing the city for the upcoming battle. Despite all those preparations, he knew many of these men would not live through the day.
He had divided the army into two groups, each numbering about five thousand. The left-hand group consisted of the cavalry, which would be of little use in the tight streets, and about one-third of the infantry. This group would head south and join up with Yosef who would lead them on to Haydrien where Vilos would rejoin them if forced to abandon the city.
The right-hand group held the rest of the infantry and archers. Vilos would lead this group in defense of the city. “Soldiers of the High Kingdom, hear me.” Vilos’s voice thundered over the gathering bringing the chatter to a halt. The soldiers all looked at him. “I know the last weeks have been difficult. Withdrawing before an enemy is a hard thing for proud warriors like us. Today we run no more. The time has come to make the invaders pay.”
The assembled soldiers roared and brandished their weapons. Vilos raised his arms to silence them. “I know some of you aren’t happy about leaving, but should we fail, it will go to you to avenge us. My scouts say the enemy will reach the gate by noon. Those of you that are leaving should get moving. I want you out of sight before the enemy arrives. The rest of you know your positions, get to them.”
The various sergeants began barking orders, getting men and material where they needed to go. Vilos left them to their work and followed along behind the cavalry toward the main gate. Abin was there working on a surprise for Nord’s troops.
Vilos had covered half the distance to the main gate when he spotted a group of priests approaching him from a side street. He counted twenty of them and they looked determined to talk to him. The ten guards that followed him everywhere moved to block the little group but Vilos waved them back. Perhaps he could deal with them quickly and return to work.
“Sultan, we would speak with you.”
Vilos groaned. The leader of the pack was the priest of the Binder that had challenged him earlier. The rest just seemed to be following in his wake.
“How can I help you most holy sirs?”
“Sultan, we demand that you fight the battle outside the city.” Again the priest of the Binder spoke for the group.
Vilos frowned but held his calm. “I have considered that option but deemed it unworkable. Was there anything else?”
The priest began to sputter then turned red. “I command you in the Binder’s name. You dare not disobey.”
Vilos reared back and swung a roundhouse right that caught the priest in the side of the head and sent him sprawling to the ground. The other priests gaped at their fallen leader then back to Vilos.
“It would seem the Binder favors me once more this day. Unless you gentlemen want to fight, I suggest you get out of the way. A hospital has been set up at The Lady of Mercy’s temple. Perhaps you can be of some use there.” Vilos walked away leaving the priests staring at him.
Vilos smiled as he rubbed his knuckles. He’d been wanting to flatten that sanctimonious prick for years. If he died, at least he’d go with the satisfaction of leveling that uppity priest.
The last of the cavalry had entered the city when Vilos arrived. Abin was overseeing the sealing of the gate. Twenty feet from them four ballistae sat pointed at the slowly disappearing opening. Whoever came through first was in for a nasty surprise.
Chapter 36
Nord’s army paused half a mile from the walls of Sultan’s Oasis. Nord hoped the sight would intimidate the soldiers guarding the city. For almost five days they’d seen no sign of Vilos’s army. He’d felt certain someone would try and harass them as they got ever closer to the capital. Perhaps his brother feared him more than he’d first thought.
Nord drew Heat’s Bane and motioned his army forward. They advanced at a steady march toward the main gate. Nord saw no sign of any archers along the wall. Not that that meant anything, they could be hiding ready to spring up when the army got within range. At the last town Nord had taken, they prepared a ram similar to the one they’d used at Aaron’s castle. Nord planned to take care of the city gates the same way he’d dealt with Aaron’s.
He motioned his army to stop then rode to within a hundred yards of the gate. No archers appeared so Nord blasted the gates with the sword until they were coated with ice. At his signal a dozen men charged forward pushing the ram.
Behind them came two hundred of his best infantrymen. They would seize the area surrounding the gate.
Nord smiled as they passed him. It appeared his brother planned to give him Sultan’s Oasis as well.
The ram struck the gate which exploded in a shower of wood chips. The infantry charged through the opening and an instant later four six-foot spears came flying out.
One missed Nord’s head by a foot. The others were less fortunate. The ballistae bolts struck with such force that they drove through three, sometimes four men before stopping.
A score of men lay dead or dying around the gate when Nord entered. The entire ram crew lay on the ground moaning in pain. None of them appeared injured.
“Arkon,” Nord bellowed.
The wizard rode up beside him. “Yes, my lord?”
“What’s wrong with those men?” Nord gestured toward the ram crew.
Arkon dismounted and looked the men over. He made several passes over them then picked up a piece of wood from the broken gate. The wizard spoke a brief incantation and the wood vanished in a puff of smoke.
“Poison,” Arkon said.
“Poison? How in the nine hells did they get poisoned?”
Before Arkon could explain an arrow embedded itself in the chest of one of the soldiers standing nearby. Men screamed as arrows rained down on them.
“Take cover,” Nord yelled.
The order was unnecessary since everyone was already scrambling around trying not to get hit. The only cover was behind the outer wall. Before everyone managed to get back through the gate half the initial entry force was dead or wounded.
“Anyone see where those arrows came from?” Nord asked.
No one answered and Nord swore. The bulk of the army had advanced down near the edge of the wall. They had to get in and establish a foothold.
Nord looked around for something he could use. He spotted the wagon that had held their ram. The bed still looked pretty solid.
“You men.” Nord pointed to a group of half a dozen soldiers that looked a little bigger than the rest. “Grab that wagon and we’ll use it for cover. Gray Company, get in behind them.”
Nord took a spot near the front of the soldiers as the big men hefted the wagon bed.
When they indicated they were ready Nord said, “Go!”
The whole group surged around the wall and through the shattered gate. Several arrows thunked home into the wood. Then they stopped.
The archers knew they couldn’t get to them.
“Keep moving,” Nord said.
No sooner had he spoken than there was a loud thwack and a ballista bolt smashed through the wagon bed killing three men.
A second bolt smashed through inches from Nord’s head, killing the man next to him.
The last two bolts blasted the wagon to splinters and killed six more men.
With no cover left Nord decided to let rip with a blast from Heat’s Bane.
He didn’t aim; he just sprayed the area in front of them with killing magic.
The man in front of him went down with an arrow in his throat.
His view clear, Nord saw no sign of bodies.
He’d hit no one.
All he managed to do was destroy the ballistae.
Arrows rained down on them. Nord saw dozens of archers positioned on rooftops all around them.
“Fall back.”
Nord was in a frothing rage when they finally reached the safety of the wall. He’d lost better than a hundred men with nothing to show for it.
“These half-assed measures aren’t getting us anywhere. When I give the order, the whole army will charge. We’ll drive right through to the palace.”
“Is that wise?” Arkon asked. “Bunched up in those streets we’ll make easy targets for their archers.”
“I saw only a few dozen archers defending the gate. If we move fast enough we can make it to the palace in fifteen minutes. The faster we get through the streets the better. At the rate we’re going they’ll just pick us apart.”
“True enough.” Arkon drew a slim black wand with a silver tip from his robe. “Perhaps I can give those archers something to think about.”
“Now you’re talking.” Nord clapped him on the shoulder. Louder he said, “Alright, we’re going to charge. Don’t stop until we reach the palace wall.”
Everyone nodded.
“Let’s go.”
Wave after wave of soldiers poured through the ruined gate, Nord and Arkon in the lead.
Arrows began raining down on them.
None of them got close to Nord.
He figured Arkon must have worked some spell to protect him.
When an arrow headed straight toward the wizard then veered suddenly away he decided maybe he was just getting a side benefit of Arkon’s own protection.
The wizard raised his wand and pointed at an archer. Streamers of red light streaked out and cut the man to ribbons. Nord’s own archers tried to run and shoot at the same time with little success.
Arkon raised the wand again and the red light streaked out.
Before it reached its target the light vanished in a flash.
“What the hell was that?” Nord asked.
“Your brother’s wizard negated the spell. I’m afraid I won’t be of much use now. His power is equal to mine.”
“You’ll be able to counter his attacks as well though, right?”
“Absolutely,” Arkon said.
They moved past the first group of archers and into a densely built-up portion of the city. Multistoried buildings and narrow side streets surrounded them.
Perfect place for an ambush.
Chapter 37
Vilos stood atop the flat roof of a two-story building and observed the initial attack and retreat of his brother’s forces with grim pleasure. The ballistae had given them a real shock.
When the main rush came he knew that playtime had ended. Abin was flying, invisible, over the battle keeping an eye out for Nord’s wizard. It was time for Vilos to join his men.
He climbed down from the roof and hurried toward the two thousand men waiting for him. His guards fell in silently beside him.
The main group of soldiers had taken up position in an evacuated bakery. Nearby, along the main avenue of approach, fifteen men armed with special weapons waited atop a building. When those weapons went off, Vilos’s men would prepare for the attack.
As they milled around waiting for the signal Vilos heard one of them mutter, “How are we supposed to scare them when we all smell like fresh baklava?”
Vilos grinned. The initial attack had done wonders for morale. After weeks of running the men had needed to take out their frustrations. He was about to say something when the back door swung open.
Everyone drew their weapons thinking they’d been discovered. When nothing appeared they all relaxed.
When Abin spoke Vilos almost jumped out of his boots. “I’ve neutralized their wizard, Majesty. Both your brother and the wizard march at the head of the army.”
“Very good,” Vilos said. “That should make the ambush more effective. Keep watch on them, I’ll handle things here.”
“Yes, Majesty,” Abin’s disembodied voice said. A moment later the bakery door shut and the wizard was gone.
Abin hadn’t been gone long when Vilos heard the first explosion. The screams came soon after.
Chapter 38
Nord surveyed the narrow stretch of road. His initial plan had been to charge straight through to the palace, but it didn’t take long for him to reconsider. It would be incredibly easy for them to charge straight into a trap. Now that no one was shooting at them, Nord decided to slow down and be cautious.
